Israel announced it early on Friday I plan to take over Gaza citythe largest urban area on the territory, and is already suffering from massive devastation due to repeated Israeli raids.
Another major ground operation in one of the few regions of Gaza that have not yet been given evacuation orders could cause more massive displacements and further disrupt the effort To deliver the food you desperately need In a territory with experts Warn that hunger is unfolding.
Israel faces calls from many of its closest allies to end the war, and the plan faces opposition within Israel from Hamas and the remaining 20 or so hostage families held by members of the security facility, who at this point they say they have little military gain.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says more military pressure is needed to achieve Israel’s goal of returning hostages and destroying Hamas.
There aren’t many left in Gaza city
Israel repeatedly fired Gaza city and launched a massive ground operation within weeks of the attack on October 7, 2023, causing war. Some neighborhoods and major infrastructure It’s almost completely destroyed.
On the eve of the war, it was Gaza’s most populous city, home to around 700,000 people. Many returned during the ceasefire earlier this year..
Israel is already in control, destroying about 75% of Gaza, and most of the Palestinian population of 2 million now is evacuated to vast evacuation camps in Gaza city, the central city of Deial Al-Bhara, and the coastal Mwasi region.
Israeli attacks have already killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and is staffed by medical professionals. The United Nations and independent experts consider the figures to be the most reliable estimate of the casualties of war. Israel challenges them, but does not offer them in itself.
Opposition within Israel
Another major ground operation almost certainly leads to Killing more Israeli soldiers Hit-and-run attacks could erode domestic support for the war and put the remaining hostages at risk.
Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians in the attack on October 7th, and accused 251 hostages. Most have since been released in ceasefires and other deals. Fifty are left in the territory, of which about 20 are believed to be alive by Israel.
Palestinian extremists recently released a video Showing a weakened hostagethey say they suffer from the same starvation as the Palestinians. Hamas is believed to hold hostages in tunnels and other secret locations, suggesting that Israeli forces will kill them when they approach.
The former security guard opposes further military operations, saying that Hamas will rarely benefit after it is militarily destroyed. Israeli military chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, reportedly claimed that a more sweeping plan to take away everything in Gaza would put hostages in danger and put additional tensions on the troops after two years of regional war.
International rage
Israel has been under international pressure in recent weeks. Pictures of hungry children Let us shed light on the worsening hunger crisis. 28 Western Parallel Countrieswhich includes some of its closest allies, called for it to end the war last month.
Even President Donald Trump, the strongest supporter he’s ever had in the White House, has Expressing concerns about the hunger crisis. He says that it is up to Israel to decide what to do next, not only do they want to end the war and return all the hostages.
Israel dismissed the criticism, saying it had done everything it could to limit harm to civilians and condemn Hamas for their deaths. Netanyahu I denied that there is a star in Gaza Despite eyewitness testimony, data compiled by UN officials and experts from major international aid groups operating there and disastrous warnings.
Netanayahu said more military pressure is needed to get Hamas to release the hostages and agree to surrender.
But Hamas already endures One of the most deadly and most destructive The first military campaign since World War II. The extremist groups say they will only release the remaining hostages in return for a sustained ceasefire and Israel’s withdrawal.
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